Lung cancer Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's lung cancer residuals. The issue of service connection for COPD is also being remanded as it requires issuance of an SOC.

The Board has determined that further medical development is needed to fully assess the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and asbestosis, including considering new evidence from private doctors and National Cancer Institute documents. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death from lung cancer was related to his active military service, including through exposure to herbicides coincident with his service in Thailand. The Board found it at least as likely as not that the Veteran was exposed to Agent Orange while stationed at NKP and Korat RTAFBs.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the RO, and further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung cancer, which had metastasis to the brain, likely began within one year of his separation from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, including lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The appeal also addressed increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for lung cancer. However, the claim is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current lung cancer to his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if there was asbestos exposure during service and whether lung cancer is related to such exposure or any other aspect of service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's current lung disorders, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer, are related to his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for small cell lung cancer is August 5, 2004. The appellant's claim was received on this date and she does not have standing to file a claim for an earlier effective date as there were no pending claims or clear and unmistakable error in prior rating decisions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to lung cancer, which is presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure. The underlying cause of death was a history of nicotine dependence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos during service and its relation to his current conditions.

The Veteran's lung cancer, which was service-connected for accrued benefits purposes based on substitution of the appellant, is found to be a compensable disability. The cause of death due to non-small cell carcinoma of the lung is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lung disability was rated at 10 percent from December 1, 2011, to June 19, 2013. From June 19, 2013, the rating is 30 percent.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death due to lung cancer, finding that it is not related to service. The Veteran's exposure to herbicides in Thailand was also not established.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung cancer, which caused his death in November 2003, was not causally related to service exposure to asbestos. The claim for service connection for the cause of death was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and information from the Social Security Administration. The issues of service connection for COPD as secondary to lung cancer are also inextricably intertwined with the current issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, brain cancer, a cardiac condition, and lung cancer were denied.,Service connection was not established for any of these conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's COPD and the severity of his service-connected residuals of lung cancer with lobectomy, history of bronchopleural fistula and pneumothorax. The Veteran is also required to provide information about any relevant treatment providers.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that lung cancer was not related to service or a service-connected disability.